Indication device for camera

ABSTRACT

A camera includes a viewfinder with an indicator having two opposing substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal between them. One substrate includes a common electrode arrangement with a plurality of electrodes. The other substrate includes a segmented electrode arrangement with a number of electrodes facing the respective electrodes of the common electrode arrrangement. Short-circuit connectors connect predetermined electrodes in the segmented electrode arrangement. A first contactor has a number of conductors connected to the respective electrodes of the segmented electrode arrangement to deliver predetermined drive signals thereto. At least one of the short-circuiting connectors is arranged at the input portion of the first contactor. A second contactor with a number of conductors is connected to respective electrodes of the common electrode arrangement so as to deliver predetermined drive signals thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cameras, and particular, to cameraviewfinders, and most particularly, to an indicating device forindicating photographic data and the like in a viewfinder, especially aliquid crystal indicating device arranged along the view field frame ofthe viewfinder.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Quite recently, meter indications in the viewfinder of a camera,particularly single lens reflex cameras, have utilized LED displays.However, an LED (light emitting diode), which is a light emitting bodyconsumes a considerable amount of electric power. Hence, digitalindications or the like using many LEDs consume comparatively largeamounts of electricity. Therefore, the life of an LED loaded battery isshort and renders the system inconvenient.

On the other hand, electrical indicators or displays using liquidcrystals or the like are not concerned with active light emittingdevices, but are passive. Hence, they consume little electric power. Forthis reason, liquid crystal displays are suitable for a device to bedriven by small capacity power sources, such as are used in a camera.Thus, considerable consideration has been given to liquid crystaldisplays for cameras. However, a problem exists in the use of suchliquid crystal displays.

The problem is best explained by referring to FIG. 1 which shows anexample of an indicating device using a liquid crystal. In the drawing,glass base plates 1 and 2 having transparent electrode patterns carrypolarization plates 3 and 4. A width of 10μ separates the base plates,between which the liquid crystal 6 is located and sealed by means of theseal 5. At the same time, the seal 5 serves as a spacer across which theelectrodes 1 and 2 face each other. On an indication portion 7, oneproduces indication by applying a voltage between the electrodes 1 and2. The space between the end plane of the glass base plate and theliquid crystal material is the seal width. From the view point offidelity in securing the base plates, it is necessary that the sealportion should have a certain width. On the other hand, the seal portionincludes the glass end plane and not the indication portion. Hence,necessarily, light is shaded from the indication portion. However, dueto this light shading portion, the liquid crystal indication portion isspaced from the edge of the view field frame in such a manner that theindication in the view field is hard to observe. This is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems so asto offer a most suitable indication device.

Another object of the present invention is to offer a liquid crystalindication device for a camera with a small space l between the endplane of the glass and the indication portion.

BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the conventional indication device in which the liquidcrystal is used in perspective view and in section.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the arrangement of the view finder optics ofthe camera system in accordance with the present invention indisassembled perspective view.

FIG. 3 shows the view finder portion, particularly the connectingportion to the circuit of the camera shown in FIG. 2 in perspectiveview.

FIG. 4 shows the construction of the device shown in FIG. 3 in section.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the patterns as example of the upper and the lowertransparent electrode base plate of the conventional liquid crystalindication device.

FIG. 7 shows the liquid crystal indication device consisting of theelectrode base plates shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) show an embodiment of the driving circuit for theliquid crystal indication device of the camera system shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show the patterns of the upper and the lowerelectrode base plate of the liquid crystal indication device of thecamera system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 shows the wave forms of the pulses at various portions of thecircuit shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the patterns of the indication device shown in FIG. 9 inshape of matrix.

FIGS. 12(a), (b) and (c) respectively show the wave forms of the pulsesat the respective electrodes of the indication portion of the circuitshown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 13(a), (b ) and (c) show the wave forms of the pulses at therespective electrodes of the indication portion of the circuit shown inFIG. 8, when the speed light device has been charged.

FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the liquid crystal indication device inthe view finder of the camera system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 shows the patterns of the one electrode base plate as anotherembodiment of the indication device of the present invention.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the patterns of the printed circuit plate and theconnecting base plate having the connecting portion patterns to be usedin combination with the electrode base plate shown in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) show the patterns of the electrode base plate asthe third embodiment of the indication device of the present inventionand the important part in section.

FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) show the patterns of the upper and the lowerelectrode plates as the fourth embodiment of the indication device ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below the present invention will be explained in detail in accordancewith the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of view finder optics (i.e. opticalarrangement) for the camera system in accordance with a presentinvention. In the drawing, the members 1-4 are the same ones as those inFIG. 1, while member 8 is the fixing member of the liquid crystaldevice, being secured (cemented at the portion not shown in the drawing)with 8a as fixing standard and further to the pentagonal prism holdernot shown in the drawing by means of screws. Member 10 is a pentagonalprism and member 11 is a view field mask. In order to compensate for thedistortion of the view field, the frame of the view field has lightshading boundaries which almost correspond to the arcs of a circlehaving a center on a line passing through the center of the photographicview field and parallel to the long or the short sides of the view fieldin such a manner that the boundaries might appear as straight lines whenthe photographer looks through the view finder. Further, thelight-shading narrow curved strip-shaped portion between the boundaryline of the view field and the liquid crystal indication window isintended to shade the end portion of the straight base plate of theliquid crystal indicating device and the seal portion. Further, in casethe indication scale has a partial light shading effect, it is possibleto carry out the light shading by means of the indication scale. Anindication scale plate 12 is provided with the figures or the marks forthe shutter times, or the aperture values or other photographicinformation and is cemented to the view field mask. In this way, thefigures or the marks indicated can be recognized when the photographerlooks through the view finder. Members 13 is a focusing plate, whilemember 14 is a quick return reflecting mirror.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the connection of the liquid crystal indicatingdevice to a circuit (such as the decoder/driver, the light measurementcontrol and the calculating circuit and so on which are conventional).The members 1-13 are the same ones as those in FIG. 2. A pentagonalprism holder 15 is secured on the camera body not shown in the drawing.A flexible printed wiring strip 16 serves as a connecting cable with thecircuit not shown in the drawing. Member 17 is the damper for theconnector rubber, serving to hold the connecting rubber 19 (beingconstructed in such a manner that the conductive portion and thenon-conductive portion are unitary so as to suit to the pitch of theconnector), by sandwiching it from the both sides and pressing itagainst the pentagonal prism holder and the pentagonal holder so as toprevent the entrance of dust and so on. (In order to improve thedust-proofing, it is sufficient to use silicone rubber or paste to sealthe contact portion or the boundary portion of the pentagonal prismholder, the connector rubber damper, the pentagonal prism and so on.) Aconnector spring 18 is hung on the pentagonal prism holder and pressesthe above connector rubber 19 against the liquid crystal base plate soas to bring the flexible printed plate 16, the connector rubber 19 andthe liquid crystal 1 into conductive connection with each other. member20 is the spacer between the pentagonal prism and the focusing plate.(The indicating portion is cut open.)

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the patterns on the glass plates when a liquidcrystal is actually used in an indicating device in the view finder ofthe camera. These are the conventional patterns for realizing anindication matrix to be shown in FIG. 11. In this case, a conductiveterminal 56 for the upper and the lower glass base plate is arranged atan end plane i.e., edge of the upper glass base plate so that as many asthree connections 60A, 60B and 60C are provided in such a manner thatthe l is necessarily large in the space l between the indication portionand the glass end plane. FIG. 7 shows the construction of the liquidcrystal cell assembled from the glass base plates whose patterns areshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by making use of the positioning marks on thebase plates. Here, elements 60 and 61 are transparent electrode baseplates. Transparent segment electrodes SG1" to SG5" are formed on thetransparent electrode base plates by metallization etc. so as toconstitute a first signal electrode arrangement and transparentelectrodes KS1"-KS4" form a second signal electrode arrangement. The twotransparent base plates are arranged so as to oppose each other as shownin the drawing. The liquid crystal matter is located in the spacebetween the two base plates and sealed by means of spacers and thesealing member 59, while the electrodes KS1"-KS4" on plate 60 and theelectrodes KS1"-KS4" on plate 61 are connected to each other through theconductive matter placed between them in such a manner that the liquidcrystal cell is connected to the driving circuit only on the one side ofthe liquid crystal cell, namely only on the one plane of the transparentelectrode base plate 60.

FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) show the base plates and the patterns provided onthe base plates of the liquid crystal indicating device to be used inthe camera system shown in FIG. 2. Here, the electrodes (60AA, 60BB,60CC) provided on the lower base plate (see FIG. 9(a)) formshort-circuit connections which are arranged at the input partKS1"T-KS4"T, SG1"T-SG5"T of the signal electrodes KS1"-KS4", SG1"-SG5".The electrode (61CC) provided on the upper base plate (see FIG. 9(b))forms a short-circuit connection which is arranged at the input sectionKS1"T-KS4"T of the signal electrodes KS1"-KS4". Consequently, the spacel between the indicating portion and the end plane of the base platebecomes small and, therefore, the liquid crystal indicating portion iscloser to the indicating scale portion in such a manner that it becomeseasier to observe the indicated contents.

Hereby, SG1"A1, SG1"A2, SG1"A3, SG2"A1, SG2"A2, SG2"A3, SG2"A4, SG3"A1,SG3"A2, SG3"A3, SG3"A4, SG4"A1, SG4"A2, and SG5"A1 provided at theindicating portion in FIG. 9(a) are the electrodes constituting thesegment electrode means, while KS1"A1, KS1"A2, KS2"A1, KS2"A2, KS2"A3,KS3"A1, KS3"A2, KS4"A1 and KS4"A2 in FIG. 9(b) are the electrodesconstituting the common electrode. Further, the base plates shown inFIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are mutually positioned by means of the positioningmarks and then assembled as is shown in FIG. 7. Further, the members inFIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) having the same figures as those in FIGS. 5 and 6are the same members, and therefore, their explanations are hereomitted.

FIG. 8(a) shows the circuit diagram of the speed light device for thecamera system shown in FIG. 2 and the light measuring circuit, thecalculation circuit in the camera body. In the drawing, 71 is theoperational amplifier constituting the SPC head amplifier, 72 is thephoto-voltaic element (SPC) connected between the both input terminalsof the above operational amplifier, and 73 is the logarithmicallycompressing diode inserted in the feed back circuit of the operationalamplifier 71. 80 is the operational amplifier constituting an adder,whose inversing input terminal is connected to the output of the aboveoperational amplifier 71 through the resistor and whose non-inversinginput terminal is connected to the variable resistor 79 for presettingthe shutter time information. 74 is the variable resistor for settingthe ASA film sensitivity information and 76 is the negative feed backresistor. 81 is the inversing operational amplifier, whose inversinginput terminal is connected to the output of the above operationalamplifier 80 through the resistor. 78 is the feed back resistor of theabove operational amplifier 81. 104 is the change-over switch inoperative engagement with the manual setting switch 84 to be explainedlater, being connected to the side a in case of the automatic mode andto the side b in case of the manual mode. 103 is the variable resistorfor setting the aperture value information in case of the manual mode.

81' is the variable resistor in operative engagement with the abovevariable resistor 79, the potential at whose intermediate tap goes upalong as the preset shutter time becomes shorter. 82 and 83 are thevoltage dividing resistors, so designed that a voltage corresponding tothe fixed time (for example 1/60 sec.) for the flash light photographyis produced at the voltage dividing point.

90 is the power source battery for the speed light device, 91 is themain switch for the speed light circuit, 92 is the voltage step-up DC-DCconverter, 93 is the main condenser, 94 and 95 are the resistors fordividing the voltage between the both terminals of the above maincondenser 93, 96 is the flash light discharge tube, 97 is the currentlimiting circuit for controlling the current running through thedischarge tube 96, 98 is the computer circuit for adjusting the flashlight, 99 is the photo-voltaic element (SPC) for computer adjusting theflash light and 100 is the one shot multivibrator, whose output terminaldelivers the flash light adjustment confirmation signal. 101 is theoperational amplifier constituting the comparison circuit for producinga charge completion signal, whose non-inversing input terminal isconnected to the voltage dividing point of the voltage dividingresistors 94 and 95. Further, to the inversing input terminal thestandard voltage Vs is applied. T1-T4 are the connecting terminals atthe side of the camera body, while T1'-T4' are those at the side of thespeed light device, whereby the terminal T1 is connected to that T1', T2to T2', T3 to T3' and T4 to T4' when the speed light device is mountedon the camera body.

ASW31-ASW34 are the analogue switches consisting of field effectivetransistors (hereinafter called FET) and so on, whereby the inputterminal of the ASW31 is connected to the above change-over switch 104,while the control input terminal is connected to the output of theinversing circuit IN31. Hereby, the input of the above inversing circuitIN31 is connected to the output of the above operational amplifier 101through the connecting terminals T1-T1'. The input of the analogueswitch ASW32 is connected to the output of the aperture informationsignal producing circuit 102 at the side of the speed light devicethrough the connecting terminals T2-T2'. Further, to the controlterminal the above charge completion signal is applied through theconnecting terminals T1-T1'. Further, the input terminal of the analogueswitch ASW33 is connected to the intermediary tap of the above variableresistor 81 so as to be supplied with the present shutter timeinformation signal of the camera. The control input terminal isconnected to the output of the above operational amplifier 101 forproducing the charge completion signal through the inversing circuitIN32 and the connecting terminals T1-T1'. On the other hand, the inputterminal of the analogue switch ASW34 is connected to the voltagedividing point of the above voltage dividing resistors 82 and 83 so asto be supplied with the fixed time signal (1/60 sec.) for the flashlight photography. 85 is the operational amplifier constituting thecomparison circuit for telling the higher range from the lower range ofthe shutter time information, whose non-inversing input terminal isconnected to the output of the above analogue switches ASW33 and ASW34.Further, to the inversing input terminal the standard voltage Vs' isapplied. IN33 is the inversing circuit, whose input terminal isconnected to the output of the above operational amplifier 85. 84 is thenormally opened switch for setting the manual mode, which is closed inthe manual mode.

OR31 is the 4 input OR gate, whose input terminals are connectedrespectively to the lower terminal of the above switch 84, the outputterminal of the operational amplifier 85 and the connecting terminals T1and T3. OR32 is the 2 input OR gate, whose one input terminal isconnected to the lower terminal and whose other input terminal isconnected to the output of the above inversing circuit IN33. X is the Xcontact at the side of the camera, so designed as to close when theshutter is totally opened in case of the focal plane shutter.

Now, let us call the output time of the OR gate OR32 A4, that of theanalogue switches ASW31 and ASW32 Av, that of the operational amplifier85, A3, that starting from the connecting terminal T1, A1, that startingfrom the connecting terminal T3, A2, that of the OR gate OR31, B1 andthat of the inverting circuit IN33, B2.

FIG. 8(b) shows the driving circuit of the liquid crystal cell for thecamera system in FIG. 2. In the drawing, 110' is the 4 bit output A/Dconverter, and 110 is the decoder circuit, which converts the inputanalogue Av in FIG. 8(a) into a 12 bit decimal code. PG is the pulseproducing circuit consisting of an inversing circuit, whose output isconnected to the frequency dividing circuit BN consisting of severalsteps of flip-flop circuits, to whose output the inversing circuit IN45is connected. FIG. 10 shows the wave forms of the output pulse (clock)of the pulse producing circuit PG, the output (T) of the frequencydividing circuit BN and the inversed output (T'). OR41-OR44 are the 3input OR gates, whereby the three input terminals of the OR gate OR41are connected respectively to the output terminals S1-S3 of the decoder110, the three input terminals of the OR gate OR42 to the outputterminals S4-S6 of the decoder 110, the three input terminals of the ORgate OR43 to the output terminals S7-S9 and the three input terminals ofOR44 to the output terminals S10-S12. OR51-OR53 are the 4 input ORgates, whereby the four input terminals of the OR gate OR51 areconnected respectively to the outputs S1, S6, S7 and S12 of the abovedecoder 110, the four input terminals of the OR gate OR52 respectivelyto the outputs S2, S5, S8 and S11 of the decoder 110 and the four inputterminals of the OR gate OR53 respectively to the outputs S3, S4, S9 andS10. AN11-AN14 are the 2 input AND gates, whereby the one input of eachgate is connected respectively to the output of the above OR gatesOR41-OR44, while the other input terminal is all connected to the outputof the frequency dividing circuit BN.

AN21-AN24 are the 2 input AND gates, whereby the one input is connectedrespectively to the output lines A1-A4 in FIG. 8(a), while to the otherinput the output pulse T of the inversing circuit IN45 is all applied.IN11-IN14 are the inversing circuits connected to the outputs of theabove AND gates AN21-AN24. ASW41-ASW48 are the analogue switchesconsisting of FET and the like, whereby the control inputs of theanalogue switches ASW42, ASW44, ASW46 and ASW48 are connectedrespectively to the outputs of the above AND gates AN11-AN14 andAN24-AN21. Further, the control input terminals of the analogue switchesASW41, ASW43, ASW45 and ASW47 are connected respectively to the outputsof the above inversing circuits IN11-IN14. AN31-AN35 are the 2 input ANDgates, whereby the one input terminal of each AND gates AN31-AN33 isconnected respectively to the outputs of the above OR gates OR51-OR53,while to the other input terminal the above pulse signal T is applied.Further, the one input terminal of the AND gates, AN34-AN35 isrespectively connected to the line B1 and B2 shown in FIG. 8(a), whileto the other input terminal the above pulse signal T is applied.NA31-NA35 are the 2 input NAND gates, whereby the one input terminal ofthe NAND gates NA31-NA33 is respectively connected to the output of theabove OR gates OR51-OR53, while to the other input terminal the pulsesignal T is all applied. Further, the one input terminal of the NANDgates NA34-NA35 is connected respectively to the line B1 and B2, whileto the other input terminal the pulse signal T is applied.

ASW51-ASW60 are the analogue switches consisting of FET or the like,whereby the control input of the analogue switches ASW51, ASW53, ASW55,ASW57 and ASW59 is connected respectively to the output of the above ANDgates AN31-AN35, while the control input of the analogue switches ASW52,ASW54, ASW56, ASW58 and ASW60 is connected respectively to the output ofthe above NAND gates NA31-NA35. B is the liquid crystal driving waveform producing circuit, whereby the pulse voltages exist on the outputlines L1-L4. Hereby, the output line L1 is connected to the inputterminal of the above analogue switches ASW52, ASW54, ASW56, ASW58 andASW60 and the output line L2 to the input terminal of the analogueswitches ASW51, ASW53, ASW55, ASW57 and ASW59. Further, the output lineL3 is connected to the input terminal of the analogue switches ASW41,ASW43, ASW45 and ASW47 and the output line L4 to the input terminal ofthe analogue switches ASW42, ASW44, ASW46 and ASW48.

Further, the outputs of the analogue switches ASW51 and ASW52 areconnected to the segment electrodes SG1" of the liquid crystal cellshown in FIG. 9(a). In the same way, the outputs of the analogueswitches ASW53 and ASW54 are connected to the segment electrode SG2"shown in FIG. 9(a), the outputs of the analogue switches ASW55 and ASW56to the segment electrode SG3" shown in FIG. 9(a), the outputs of theanalogue switches ASW57 and ASW58 to the segment electrode SG4" shown inFIG. 9(a) and the outputs of the analogue switches ASW59 and ASW60 tothe segment electrode SG5" shown in FIG. 9(a).

On the other hand, the outputs of the analogue switches ASW41 and ASW42are connected to the input terminal of the common electrode KS1" of theliquid cell shown in FIG. 9(b). In the same way, the outputs of theanalogue switches ASW43 and ASW44 are connected to the common electrodeKS2" shown in FIG. 9(b), the outputs of the analogue switches ASW45 andASW46 are connected to the common electrode KS3" shown in FIG. 9(b) andthe outputs of the analogue switches ASW47 and ASW48 to the commonelectrode KS4" shown in FIG. 9(b).

FIG. 11 shows the construction of the electrodes of the liquid crystalused for the present embodiment in a way of matrix. The figures, thenumerical figures and so on at the crossing points of the matrixrepresent the contents of the lights which light up at the crossingpoints. The numerical figures 1-22 represent the aperture values to becontrolled, ↓ the under-exposure, ↑ the over-exposure, the speed lightcharge completion, OK the speed light computer adjustment confirmation,M the manual mode and HS the lower range of the preset shutter time.

Below, the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 8(a) will beexplained.

Now, let us consider the case the speed light device is not mounted orthe main capacitor has not yet been fully charged, while the mode isautomatic. In this state, the potential at the voltage dividing point ofthe voltage dividing resistors 94 and 95 of the speed light circuit islow, so that the level at the non-inversing input terminal is low thanthat at the inversing input terminal of the operational amplifier 101,which then produces the L level. Consequently, the level of the outputsof the inversing circuits IN31 and IN32 is H. Further, because the modeis automatic, the change-over switch 104 is connected to the side a. Atthe output of the light measurement calculation circuit A the analoguevoltage corresponding to the aperture value to be controlled exists.Because to the control input of the analogue switch ASW31 the H levelsignal of the above inversing circuit IN31 is applied, the analogueswitch ASW31 is closed, while because to the control input of theanalogue switch ASW32 the L level signal of the operational amplifier101 is applied the analogue switch ASW32 is opened. Thus, to the outputline Av the output analogue voltage of the light measurement calculationcircuit A is transmitted.

In the same way, because to the control inputs of the analogue switchesASW33 and ASW34 the H level signal and the L level signal arerespectively applied, the analogue switch ASW33 closes, while the switchASW34 opens. Thus, to the non-inversing input terminal of theoperational amplifier in the next step the analogue voltagecorresponding to the shutter time information preset on the abovevariable resistor 81'. In case now the preset shutter time is short, thelevel at the non-inversing input terminal of the operational amplifier85 is higher than the level at the inversing input terminal, so that theoutput is H level. Hereby, the output of the inversing circuit IN33 is Llevel.

Further, because the mode is automatic, the above switch 84 is opened,while the level at the lower end of the switch 84 is L.

Further, because the main capacitor 93 of the speed light device has notyet charged, while the shutter has not yet released, the level of theoutput of the above one shot multivibrator 100 is L. Because as is clearfrom the above, the level of the two inputs of the OR gate OR32 is L,the level of the output line A4 is L. Further, to the output line Av theanalogue output signal of the light measurement calculation circuit A istransmitted. The level of the output line A3 is H, while that of theoutput lines A1 and A2 is L. Further, because the level of the one inputof the OR gate OR31 is H, the level of the output line B1 is H, whilethe level of the output line B2 is L.

Below, the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 8(b) will beexplained. The analogue signal of the above Av line is input in the A/Dconverter 110' so as to be converted into the 4 bit binary code, wherebythe level of the output of the decoder 110 corresponding to the binarycode is selectively H. Now let us suppose that the output S7 is selectedto be H level, while other outputs remain L level. Because in this case,the one input of the OR gates OR43 and OR5 is H level, the level of theoutput is H, while the level of the outputs of other OR gates OR41,OR42, OR44, OR52 and OR53 is L. Further, because the level of the outputlines A3 and B1 is H, at the output of the AND gate AN13, the inversingcircuit IN13, the AND gate AN31 and the NAND gate NA34 the pulse T as isshown in FIG. 10 appears. On the other hand, at the output of theinversing IN12, the AND gate AN23, the NAND gate NA31 and the AND gateAN34 the pulse T as is shown in FIG. 10 appears. Further, the output ofthe inversing circuits IN11 and IN14 is H level, that of the NAND gatesNA32, NA33 and NA35 are H level and that of the AND gates AN32, AN33 andAN35 are L level. Now, let us consider the wave forms of the voltages tobe applied to the segment electrodes SG1"-SG5" and the common electrodesKS1"-KS4".

Because the analogue switches ASW51 and ASW52 are alternatively closedby means of the pulse T and T, in the segment electrode SG1" the waveform shown in FIG. 12(a) is produced. Further, because the analogueswitches ASW53, ASW55 and ASW59 are opened, while ASW54, ASW56 and ASW60are closed, the wave form as is shown in FIG. 12(a) is produced in thesegment electrodes SG2", SG3" and SG5". Further, the analogue switchesASW57 and ASW58 are alternatively closed by means of the pulses T and T,the wave form as is shown in the drawing is produced in the segmentelectrode SG4".

FIG. 12(b) shows the wave forms of the voltages applied to the commonelectrodes KS1"-KS4". Because the analogue switches ASW41 and ASW47 areclosed, while ASW42 and ASW48 are opened, the voltage wave forms shownin FIG. 12(b) and existing on the above line L3 is applied to the commonelectrodes KS1" and KS4". Because the analogue switches ASW43 and ASW44is closed alternatively by means of the above pulses T and T, thevoltage form as is shown in FIG. 12(b) is applied to the commonelectrode KS2". Because the analogue switches ASW45 and ASW46 arealternatively closed by means of the above pulses T and T, the voltagewave form as is shown in the drawing is applied.

FIG. 12(c) shows the wave forms of the voltage applied between therespective segment electrodes SG1"-SG4" and the common electrodesKS1"-KS4" in this state. As is clear from the drawing, to the liquidcrystal between the segment electrode SG1" and the common electrode KS2"a rectangular alternating voltage of 2V1 in P-P value is applied duringthe time interval T1 and a rectangular alternating voltage of (1/3)×2V1in P-P value during the time interval T2. On the other hand to theliquid crystal between the segment electrode SG4" and the commonelectrode KS3" a rectangular alternating voltage (1/3)×2V1 in P-P valueis applied during the time interval T1 and a rectangular alternatingvoltage 2V1 in P-P value during the time interval T2.

On the other hand, between other electrodes, as is clear from FIG.12(c), a rectangular alternating current (1/3)×2V1 in P-P value isapplied during the whole time. In case now V1 is adjusted in such amanner that the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal lies between theeffective voltage with the wave form (SG4"-KS3") and that of the waveform (SG4"-KS2"), only the liquid crystal in the portion (SG4"-KS3") andthat in the position (SG1"-KS2") are brought in the switched on state,while others remain in the switched off state. Thus, when the above isobserved in the view finder, as can be understood from the matrix shownin FIG. 11, HS (the shutter time in higher range) and the aperture valueof 4 are indicated. FIG. 14 shows the indication in the finder at thisstage.

Below, the operation of the above circuit when the mode is automatic,while the main capacitor of the speed light device has been charged willbe explained. Because in this case, the voltage at the voltage dividingpoint of the resistors 94 and 95 goes up, the output of the operationalamplifier 101 is inversed into H level. Thus, the output of theinversing circuits IN31 and IN32 is inversed into L level, whereby theanalogue switches ASW32 and ASW34 are closed, while ASW32 and ASW33 areopened. Thus, on the Av line, the output voltage of the apertureinformation producing circuit 102 at the side of the speed light deviceexists. Further, to the non-inversing input terminal of the operationalamplifier 85 the voltage divided by means of the resistors 82 and 83 forproducing the fixed shutter time is applied. Because the fixed shuttertime (1/60 sec.) for the flash light photography lies in the highershutter time range, the level of the output of the operational amplifier85 is H, while that of the output of the inversing circuit IN33 is L.Further, because the mode is automatic, the switch 84 is opened, wherebythe level at the lower end is L.

Because in the above state, the two inputs of the OR gate OR32 is Llevel, the output line A4 is on L level, the output line A3 on H level,the output line A1 on H level and the output line A2 on L level, whilebecause the two inputs out of the four inputs of the OR gate OR31 is Hlevel, the output line B1 is on H level, and the output line B2 on Llevel. Further, on the Av line the aperture value signal voltage fromthe aperture value information producing circuit 102 at the side of thespeed light device exists. Now let us suppose that the aperture valuesignal corresponds to F5-6, while the output S6 of the decoder 110 isselectively H level. At this time, the output of the OR gates OR42 andOR51 is H level, while the output of other OR gates is L level. Thus, inthis state at the output of the AND gate AN12 the above pulse T exists,while at the output of the AND gates AN21 and AN23 the pulse T exists,whereby the output of other AND gates is L level. Thus, to the controlinput of the analogue switch ASW41 the pulse T is applied and to thecontrol input of the analogue switch ASW42 the pulse T. Further, to thecontrol input of the analogue switches ASW43, ASW46 and ASW47 the Hlevel signal is applied and to the control input of the analogueswitches ASW44, ASW45 and ASW48 the L level signal is applied.

On the other hand, to the control input of the analogue switches ASW51and ASW58 the pulse T is input and to the control input of the analogueswitches ASW52 and ASW57 the pulse T is input. Further, to the controlinput of the analogue switches ASW54, ASW56 and ASW60 the H level signalis input and to the control input of ASW53, ASW55 and ASW59 the L levelsignal is input. FIG. 13(a) shows the wave forms of the voltagesproduced in the respective segment electrodes SG1"-SG5". FIG. 13(b)shows the wave forms of the voltages produced in the respective commonelectrodes KS1"-KS4". FIG. 13(c) shows the wave forms of the voltagesapplied to the liquid crystal between the segment electrodes and thecommon electrodes. As is clear from the drawings, the liquid crystalbetween the segment electrode SG1" and the common electrode KS3", thatbetween the segment electrode SG4" and the common electrode KS1" andthat between the segment electrode SG4" and the common electrode KS3"are brought in the switched on state. Thus, as can be understood fromthe matrix shown in FIG. 11, the aperture value 5-6, the chargecompletion and the higher shutter time range HS are indicated. Further,when the emission of the flash light has been adjusted by the computer,the one shot multivibrator 100 produces a pulse voltage with a certaindetermined width, whereby the output line A2 remains on H level for acertain determined time interval so as to indicate the computer flashlight adjustment confirmation OK for a certain determined time interval.

Below, the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 8 when the mode isautomatic will be explained. At this time, as has already beenexplained, the switch 84 is closed, while the change-over switch 104 isconnected to the side b. Thus, the output line A4 is on H level, so thatthe manual mode M is indicated, while on the Av line the manually setaperture value information signal from the variable resistor 103, so asto indicate the manually set aperture value.

Below, other embodiments of the present invention will be explained inaccordance with the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show theconstruction of the electrode base plate of other embodiments of theindicating device in accordance with the present invention. In case ofthe embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), inorder to make the space l of the base plate between the liquid crystalindicating portion and the view finder frame small the electrode formingthe short-circuiting means for connecting the various patterns formingthe indicating portion is made into only one line-shaped pattern in theabove space l, while other short-circuiting electrodes are arranged onthe base plate on the other side of the above space l with reference tothe indicating portion in the electrode base plate planes 60 and 61.Further, the connection between the both base plates is carried out bymeans of the conductive portion in such a manner that the liquid crystalindicating portion can be arranged as close to the view field frame ofthe view finder as possible. Various construction of the patternsaccording to the above method can be thought out, whereby the embodimentof the present invention to be explained below is also constructed inaccordance with the above purpose.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the segment base plate shown in FIG.9(a), whereby the short-circuiting electrodes for the signal electrodesSG2", SG1" and SG4" are arranged outside of the base plate so as to makethe size of the base plate small. Other patterns on the base plate aresame as is shown in FIG. 9(a), so that their explanations are omittedhere. The short-circuiting electrodes shown with a, b and c in thedrawing are replaced for example with the flexible printed circuit plate16' shown in FIG. 16. The short-circuiting electrodes a', b' and c'shown in FIG. 16 are made conductive with the electrode base plate shownin FIG. 15 by means of the connecting conductive rubber 19 as is shownin FIG. 4 in such a manner that the connecting electrodes a, b and c inthe drawing are respectively connected therewith so as to realize thesame construction as that of the electrode base plate shown in FIG.9(a), whereby an equivalent efficiency can be obtained, while the baseplate can be made small.

The patterns shown in FIG. 17 can be used instead of the connectingportion shown in FIG. 16. When the patterns are used for the base plateshown in FIG. 15, the size of the base plate can be made small. Theupper patterns in FIG. 17 are respectively connected to the signal inputterminals shown in FIG. 15, while some of these connecting members areconnected to each other by means of the short-circuiting electrodes a",b" and c", as is shown in the drawing, so that an equivalent base plateto the electrode base plate shown in FIG. 9(a) can be obtained.

FIG. 18 shows the third embodiment of the indicating device inaccordance with the present invention, whereby the construction of thebase plate is same as that of the electrode base plate 61 shown in FIG.9(b). The difference is that in FIG. 18 on the same electrode base platea part of the short-circuiting electrodes are arranged overlapped,making use of an insulation layer. In FIG. 9(b) the signal electrodeKS4" arranged on the base plate is connected through theshort-circuiting electrode 61CC arranged at the lower part of thedrawing so that it is inconvenient for making the base plate small. Incase of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, KS4" is overlapped on KS3"through the insulation layer so as to make the base plate small. Namely,as is shown in section in FIG. 18(b), after respective electrodepatterns have been formed on the base plate, the insulation layer 101 isformed on a part of the patterns and then the short-circuiting electrode102 is formed on the insulation layer by means of metallization orprinting. The base plate obtained in this way is quite equivalent tothat shown in FIG. 9(b), whereby by combining this with the base plateshown in FIG. 15, the indicating device can be made compact.

FIG. 19(a) and FIG. 19(b) show the construction of the base plate offurther another embodiment of the indicating device in accordance withthe present invention. In this embodiment the shape of the patterns theindicating portion of the segment base plate 60 is same, while the shapeof the patterns of the indicating portion of the common electrode baseplate 61 is also same. These patterns of the indicating portions are ledto the signal input terminals arranged at the one side of the one baseplate 61 in combination with the wiring patterns shown in the drawingand the conductive patterns between the upper and the lower base plates.The wiring patterns and the conductive patterns on the segment baseplate 60 shown in FIG. 19(a) are symmetrical so that when the commonelectrode base plate 61 shown in FIG. 19(b) is laid over the above thecircuits on both of the base plates are made conductive to each other bymeans of the conductive materials between the respective conductiveportions, while other portions are insulated by means of the insulationlayer so as to constitute an indicating device. As is shown in thedrawing, in case of the present embodiment there is no wiring pattern atall on the base plate plane between the indicating patterns and the viewfinder frame so that the information indicating portion and the liquidcrystal indicating patterns can be arranged close to each other in theview finder. Hereby, the driving circuit for the indicating device shownin FIG. 19 can easily constructed out of the circuit shown in FIG. 8.

So far various embodiments of the present invention have been explainedin detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings, whereby in caseof the liquid crystal indicating device in accordance with the presentinvention, the space of the base plate of the indicating portion at theside of the view field frame of the view finder can be made remarkablysmall so that as the indicating device in the view finder of the camerathe quite effective liquid crystal indication can be realized. Further,the above embodiments shown in the drawings are nothing but examples andit goes without saying that other various variations are possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. For a camera, a liquid crystal indication devicehaving a display portion, comprising:(A) camera display signal producingmeans for producing display signals representative of camera data andhaving a plurality of output terminals; (B) a first electrode baseplate; (C) common electrode means on the first electrode base plate forforming the display portion to display the display signals from saiddisplay signal producing means, the common electrode means having aplurality of electrodes; (D) a second electrode base plate; (E) segmentelectrode means along a side of the second electrode base plate forforming said display portion to display the display signals from saiddisplay signal producing means, the segment electrode means including aplurality of electrodes, a plurality of said electrodes being relatedelectrodes; (F) short circuit means for mutually connecting said relatedelectrodes of the segment electrode means in such a manner that saiddisplay signal is applied simultaneously to the related electrodes ofthe segment electrode means the short circuit means being located on aportion of the second electrode base plate; (G) first connecting meansconnected between said display signal producing means and said commonelectrode means for transmitting the display signals to the commonelectrode means; and (H) second connecting means for transmitting thedisplay signal from said display signal producing means to the segmentelectrode means, and connected between each of the electrodes of saidsegment electrode means grouped by the short circuit means and theoutput terminal of said display signal producing means corresponding toeach of the grouped electrodes; (I) said short circuit means beinglocated on the side of the second connecting means opposite the displayportion.
 2. A liquid crystal display apparatus of the matrix drivingtype having a display portion for a camera comprising:(A) means forproducing display signals representative of camera data and having aplurality of output terminals; (B) a first electrode base plate; (C)common electrode means on the first electrode base plate for formingpart of a display portion and to display the display signals from saiddisplay signal producing means, a second electrode base plate, segmentelectrode means located along a side of the second electrode base platefor forming part of the display portion and including a plurality ofgroups of related electrodes; and (D) short circuit means for mutuallyconnecting related electrodes of the segment electrode means in such amanner that said display signal is applied simultaneously to the relatedelectrodes of the segment electrode means, said short circuit meanslocated on a portion of the second electrode base plate; (E) firstconnecting means connected between said display signal producing meansand said common electrode means for transmitting the display signals tothe common electrode means; and (F) second connecting means fortransmitting the display signals to the segment electrode means, andconnected between each of the electrodes of said segment electrode meansgrouped by the short circuit means and an output terminal of saiddisplay signal producing means corresponding to each of the groupedelectrodes; (G) said short circuit means being located on the side ofthe second connecting means opposite to the display portion.
 3. A camerawith a rectangular liquid crystal display apparatus having a displayportion, comprising:(A) means for producing display signalsrepresentative of data for the camera, the display signal producingmeans having a plurality of output terminals; (B) a first electrode baseplate; (C) common electrode means on the first electrode base plate andfor forming said display portion to display the display signals fromsaid display signal producing means, a second electrode base platecomprising:(C-1) segment electrode means along a side of the secondelectrode base plate for forming said display portion to display thedisplay signals from said display signal producing means, the segmentelectrode means including a plurality of electrodes; and (C-2) shortcircuit means for mutually connecting the related electrodes of saidsegment electrode means in such a manner that said display signal isapplied simultaneously to related electrodes of said segment electrodemeans, said short circuit means being provided on a second of saidsecond electrode base plate; (D) first connecting means connectedbetween said display signal producing means and said common electrodemeans for transmitting the display signals to the common electrodemeans; and (E) second connecting means for transmitting the displaysignals to the segment electrode means and connected between each of theelectrodes of said segment electrode means grouped by the short circuitmeans and the output terminal of said display signal producing meanscorresponding to each of the grouped electrodes; (F) said short circuitmeans being located on the side of the second connecting means oppositethe display portion.
 4. A liquid crystal display apparatus according toclaim 3, whereinsaid short circuit means consists of a detachablemember.
 5. A liquid crystal indicator for a camera, comprising:(A)camera display signal producing means for producing display signalsrepresentative of camera data; (B) a first electrode base plate; (C) aplurality of first electrodes on the first base plate and arranged forforming a display portion; (D) a second electrode base plate coveringthe first electrode base plate; (E) a plurality of second electrodesmounted on the second base plate between the first base plate and thesecond base plate and opposite the electrodes of the first base plate;(F) a liquid crystal between the first plurality of electrodes and thesecond plurality of electrodes; (G) said first electrodes being dividedinto a plurality of groups and said second electrodes being divided intoa plurality of groups in a pattern different from the plurality ofgroups in the first plurality of electrodes facing the second pluralityof electrodes; (H) a plurality of connecting lines, each connecting theelectrodes of a different one of the groups; (I) said connecting linesbeing mounted on said first base plate; (J) a second plurality ofconnecting lines on the second base plate, each connecting electrodeswithin a group; (K) insulating means insulating the connecting lines ofsaid first base plate from the connecting lines of said second baseplate; (L) said base plates each having edges each facing an edge of theother base plate; (M) said first and said second plurality of electrodesbeing aligned close to edges near each other on the first and secondbase plates; (N) said connecting lines on each base plate being mountedon the base plate at locations more remote than the first and secondplurality of electrodes from the edges near the first and secondplurality of electrodes; (O) a plurality of input terminals on each ofsaid base plates for receiving input signal; (P) said connecting lineson each of said base plates being located on the side of the pluralityof input terminals opposite the plurality of electrodes on acorresponding one of the base plates.